Flying Gurnards - Weevers - Lizardfish

Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans): This magnificent fish with its unique look and turquoise-edged wings appeared in 2025! It swims at the bottom, at shallow depths, alone or in pairs, one darker than the other. Gerry saw it too and was probably disturbed because when it escaped, it touched his shoulder! It must be 20 to 25 cm long. It does not use its wings to swim fast; they are folded close to the body.

Weevers (probably small weever, that is to say Echiichthys vipera): Very rare because very difficult to see. This fish has a bad reputation; you must not step on it! It is always accompanied by another fish, rombou or other; that is generally how I spot it! My favorite fish in bouillabaisse. Its spines are very poisonous and when you catch it, you have to catch it with several layers of rags to avoid ending up at the doctor's... There are some in the swimming area at the Croisette de Ste Maxime but I am not aware of any incidents.

Striped Lizardfish (Synodus saurus): First seen in 2025, in front of the Swedish house on La Croisette. This fish looks like a weever fish and has the same kind of behavior: It can lie on the sand without moving much. It is not venomous. It is larger than the weever fish I have seen: at least 20 cm.